Bird Checklists of the United States

Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Hollandale, Mississippi

Yazoo NWR Complex contains five refuges.
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge Complex is headquartered on Yazoo NWR approximately
25 miles south of Greenville, MS. Other refuges in the complex include Panther
Swamp and Hillside near Yazoo City, Morgan Brake near Tchula, and Mathews Brake
located south of Greenwood.

The area of coverage is west central Mississippi.
The five refuges contain 73,320 acres between Greenwood, Yazoo City, and the
Mississippi River; they provide a mixture of marshes, swamps, sloughs, cropland,
and bottomland hardwood forests. The surrounding area of catfish ponds and
croplands often works in conjunction with this refuge habitat to attract an
unusual variety and number of migratory birds on their travels up and down
the Mississippi flyway.

Most listed species are found on all five refuges.
The areas that have been most thoroughly studied are those that have been
most accessible and acquired earliest. Yazoo NWR has been staffed since 1958;
Hillside was acquired 20 years later and the other three refuges were obtained
in the 1980's. Locations designated in the list are not intended to show range
limits. Most of the listed species are found on all five refuges. The location
designations indicate where a species has been seen most commonly. With more
study, some designations may need revision. Undoubtedly, more species will
also be added. This wide variety of birdlife can be observed by driving paved
or graveled roads or by hiking along levees and refuge trails.

Report unusual sightings.
Reports of any unusual sighting, particularly of birds not included in this
list would be appreciated.

Ethics for birdwatching
Take care not to disturb nesting birds. This exposes eggs and young to extreme
temperatures and predation.

Disturb wintering wildlife as little as possible, particularly during critical
feeding and resting periods. They need all of their energy reserves to withstand
the stresses of harsh weather and migration.

How to use your checklist
The bird checklist was designed to be informative and simple to use. The list
is arranged in the order established by the American Ornithological Union.

This checklist includes 281 species of birds and is based on observations
by refuge personnel and visiting ornithologists. Special acknowledgment is
given to Dr. Julian L. Dusi, Auburn University, for compiling this list from
years of personal observation. If you should find an unlisted species, please
let us know at Refuge Headquarters. We appreciate your help in updating our
records.

These bird species have been seen since 1956 by refuge personnel and prominent
ornithologists. This is the sixth list in 15 years. The 1971 list had 140 species.
Mr. Ed Alexander provided much additional information about all area birds from
his studies, observations, and Christmas bird counts. For additional information
contact: